Whenever I go to shoot a wedding I try and check out the location ahead of time. If possible I go in person, if not I look at the venues website, or at times call the venue and ask about picture possibilities at their location. There are times when none of these steps really help and I have to wait until the day of the wedding to find what I will be working with. I get there early and scout out possible sites where we could make some good and creative images. This venue was very low on the location possibilities and I was somewhat disappointed. I did eventually find some areas that could work. I brought the Bride into this dark room that had a full wall of curtains that would work as a nice background. I then pulled back the curtains a bit and all this light came pouring in. I immediately knew this would work for a good image. I asked the Bride to go up to the curtain and push it aside slightly to let in just enough light. The image started coming together, especially with the long shadow it produced. It just reaffirmed to me that if you look at and work your location, you will make an interesting image that will make you and your client happy.

Happy Shooting

Why do so many people who call themselves photographers refer to the process of photography as taking pictures. I've always looked at photography as a creative and technical process. If you are a professional or a serious hobbyist the process is not taking but making pictures. Let me explain. Taking pictures implies not much thought is given to the entire process of creating the picture, you set the camera on auto or one of the program modes and simply point the camera at the subject, a person, place or thing and click the shutter. Presto you just finished taking a picture. A snapshot. A professional or serious amateur would (hopefully) take the time to apply his or her knowledge of the technical as well as artistic possibilities they could use to create an image that conveyed their vision at the time. This would include but is not limited to.

1: The focal length of the lens, wide, normal, telephoto.

2: The ISO setting of the film or digital exposure. Low 200 or below, smooth no grain or noise. High 800 and above, more noise and grain.

3: The shutter speed setting. Do you want to stop motion or show motion? Maybe you need a tripod?

4: Aperture setting. F 2.8 or F 16? Shallow depth of field or lots of depth of field?

5: Lighting. The time of day. Type of lighting. Daylight or flash. Direction of the light. Color of the light. Fill-flash. Etc.

6: Composition. High or low angle. A tight, medium or wide shot.

7: Exposure, Should you use a normal (average, basic) exposure? Maybe an over or under exposure to bring out the desired effect. Spot or average metering. The type of light readings, reflective light (light that is reflected off of the subject being photographed) or incident light (light that is striking the subject).

8: Most importantly. Knowing when to trip the shutter and capture the moment. All of the above means nothing if the essence of the picture has no emotion. The telling of the story, the decisive moment.

Subject matter doesn’t matter. Anything can be photographed or looked at in an interesting way. It just takes time and a willingness and openness to see.

Ok, now go out have some fun and make pictures.

Well it's been a long time coming but my Wedding Photography Website www.kpsweddings.com is finally up. Let me know what you think. I would be happy to hear any suggestions and useful critiques.

I have two other websites that you may find interesting. Please take a look.

www.klauspetersteitz.com and www.kpsimages.com